# Bullet Train could make it happen
# Tunku Imran reveals discussions already held with Singapore
By Rizal Abdullah
There is every possibility of Malaysia-Singapore co-hosting Olympic Games and initial discussions between the two countries have already been held.
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar said both countries have sufficient, excellent and beautiful sports facilities, hotels and airports to host a mega event like the Olympics.
But the major contributing factor to the idea of joint hosts is the high speed railway connection between Malaysia and Singapore which is in the pipeline that could make Olympics taking place in the Asean region.
“We had some discussions with Singapore . However, it is still too early. Costs will be another major factor and all this will be taken into account,” said Tunku Imran on the sidelines at the AIPS (International Sports Press Association) Asia Congress in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
In the past Malaysia have hosted several major world meets, including the Hockey World Cup, Junior Football World Cup, world badminton and squash meets but hosting the Olympics will be different ball due logistics and the number of countries who will participate.
Meanwhile, Malaysia will play host SEA Games – the biennial games – known as the Mini Olympics of Asean countries. The SEA Games will be held in August and will involve 38 sports and 405 events.
Tunku Imran announced that for the first time there will be a “Baton Run” for the Games – an idea taken from the Commonwealth Games.
“This is just to bring awareness of the Games,” said Tunku Imran.
The baton run will begin in Brunei on March 5. It will travel to all the participating nations and end in Malaysia.
“In Malaysia the baton will travel to every state before it is replaced by a torch before the Games begin in Kuala Lumpur,” added Tun Imran.
